Ha'a stems from the early migratory patterns of Birdfolk, allowing caravans and caravels to distinguish each other from a distance. As early separate Flocks allied, combined, and grew more cohesive into smaller, independent cells under larger leadership, this visual language provided easy identification of key players, alliances, and roles when meeting compatible Flocks; it additionally allowed Flocks to identify enemies, potential challengers, or key targets when encountering hostile Flocks.
Most Flocks were not outright aggressive; the ability to notice hostile Flocks and alter paths to avoid conflict was more beneficial than continuous warfare, and the ability to signal for trade to neutral Flocks was invaluable during long migratory routes. As the routes solidified and regular interactions followed, the network of complex alliances became important to the eventual Unification Discourse and acceptance of Unification.
Today, Ha'a and Flock Cloth provide the same easy identification of one's skills, occupations, and alliances, helping interaction and society flow smoothly.
Haa
Within this language, cloth without Flock motif are called haa, and are worn primarily by the Wazhinkake. Haa is plain and unadorned, avoiding the geometric, repeating motifs of Flock patterning.
In addition, Flock members may also adorn with haa to dress and express themselves in a more casual manner than the more strict Flock Cloth permits. It is not uncommon to see a Ni'kashiga Nihkasi wear Haawalele in the appropriate locations in order to showcase their status, rank, and specialty within a Flock, but to wear general haa or haale to express their own individual identities.
Ha'le'ze
Within the Wazhinkake, this cloth is occasionally dabbed with colors of occupational skills they have earned in previous Flock experience (as a sort of walking resume, common in those Wazhinkake seeking new Flock experience, or by educators who wish to express they are a neutral source of information to instruct such skills). Occasionally, ha'le'ze are done in such a way to indicate they are skills that the individual wishes to learn: when a Nikake or Nihkasi displays these spots along the face or beak (such as in the edges of a headcovering or beakscarf), they are identifying a wish to seek a mentor or opportunity to earn new skills.
Additional inclusions of orange or aqua are less common, but still popular, to denote Followers.
As they are self-assigned and self-determined, these dots of color are not to be confused with Hpaziza.
Hpaziza
Hpaziza are small, decorative knots, whose color signifies areas of knowledge or skill. Hpaziza are awarded after years of service within a field, and as they are gained by merit, it is considered highly taboo to wear Hpaziza that are unearned, and those who falsify their visual resume with unearned hpaziza may be charged and convicted of fraud should their falsehoods be discovered.
Hpaziza should not be confused with ha'le'ze, which are self-determined and self-assigned.
Haale'zowaake, or Haale
Additionally, it is common (especially among Wazhinkakeh) to wear abstracted patterns that express character traits, thematic motifs, or popular stories/knowledge, usually depicted in the "neutral" balanced combination of black and white. Cloth that avoids Flock motif but embraces these neutral elements is sometimes referred to specifically as haale'zowaake, a word that is formally translated as "signal cloth for telling folk things," or more loosely as "a scarf." (Though often worn in draped arrangement, the "scarves" are often any form of additional clothing with decorative, nonFlock pattern.) A lowtongue nickname for this cloth is "Haale."
Both haa and haale allow for individual expression left relatively ungoverned, and whose arrangement trends vary with fashion changes in different eras and sectors. Though most fabric in The Inbound Lands is made within the continent, these looser social norms around haa and haale allow for variance in what kind of clothing falls under their linguistic umbrella, and for the incorporation of fabrics and clothing items imported from other countries to also be utilized under the linguistic structure of Ha'a.
Haawalele
When decorated with the motif of a particular Flock association, the cloth is Haawalele, a word closer to a translation of "banner," but more often translated simply as "Flock Cloth." Flock cloth is only handcrafted - either handwoven, handprinted, or handpainted - by Birdfolk artisans, with minor (often personalized) variations appearing from cloth to cloth pattern, and is only produced internally to The Inbound Lands.
Legally, Flock Cloth is not sold, but rather is earned through participation within a Flock. In most instances, Flocks may commission artisans to produce this cloth, who then provide vouchers to Flock leaders to distribute to Flockmembers, who then present these vouchers to "purchase" the cloth they need. A member leaving one Flock for another is legally required to return cloth in their possession for either redistribution, use as Flock tenugui, or destruction.
The display and use of Flock Cloth is governed by several strict usage rules; deviation from these rules is seen not only as strange, but in many cases as vulgar and taboo. It is typically worn wrapped loosely around the waist, draped over the shoulders or around the neck, draped over a belting along the hip, or occasionally as headcovering. The specific rules may vary depending on the Flock itself, and the duties of the occupation it represents.
Traditionally, Flock Cloth must be kept as broad bolts of fabric; it is not cut and sewn into new clothing patterns. (Flock Motifs, however, may be embroidered onto articles of clothing, more commonly seen among Walkingfolk Flock associates. Additionally, older Flockcloth may be torn or cut down into use as tenugui, an acceptable diminishment of the original.) Flockmembers may use Flock Cloth as girding, or to wrap around the waist, loins, or chest, in order to protect the cloth during manual labors, as the ritualized wrap is more palatable to custom than to treat the cloth disrespectfully during work. Personal identity and cultural background is a little more fluid and general to the larger population, with certain clothing favored by certain Flocks (generally based on practicality), and certain styles of draped cloth preferred based on trends, age, and regions.
Finally, each Flock has its own nuanced dialect to the visual language (much as the verbal language expands through accent and vernacular the Flock itself determines how the motif manifests. In general, size and intricacy of the design can inform the viewer of the rank and position within the Flock, in conjunction with the dominant and secondary colors and the placement of palette choices, which remain relatively consistent within the Greater Ni'kashiga.
Comments